Chinatown*

I got an email on Friday from a guy who had stumbled across my Daisy May's chili cart review. He was saying that he was going to keep tuning in for more reviews, so here goes another one! Today's review is Great NY Noodletown's salt baked shrimp. Good stuff. Despite the name, I'm pretty sure they're fried, but not greasy in that deep-fried way. They're light and flavorful and yes, they're salty, but they're damn good. When they're back in season, they also make salt baked soft-shell crabs, but I prefer the shrimp. If you don't tend to visit Chinatown that often, you are missing out on some of the city's great treasures. Here are some of my favorites:

HSF for dim sum.

Pho Bang for Vietnamese Pho

Joe's Shanghai for soup dumplings

Fuleen Seafood for dungeoness crab

Fried Dumpling -- just what the name says. They sell 5 of the most succulent fried pork dumplings for $1. I stumbled across this one with my sister one rainy day. Incredible, and great for a non-profit budget.

Plus, there are plenty more I haven't made it to yet, including a bakery that's supposed to have fantastic pork buns -- one of my favorites. If you've been there and can report back, let me know. On a side note, I noticed on NYC Eats' posting of Ruth Reichl's 25 favorite restaurants, that she includes Fried Dumpling and Great NY Noodletown on her list. She also includes Pearl Oyster Bar, which as you may recall, won my lobster roll-off. Great minds, and stomachs, think alike!

*No, not the movie, the neighborhood.

Comments

[Hilary]

Have you tried Doyers Vietnamese Restaurant (formerly called Vietnam) on Doyers Street? Defintely worth venturing into the heart of Chinatown and down the precarious staircase for the heaping bowls of grilled pork and noodles.

[hugh macleod]

oh, god, there you go... making me homesick again :(

[Laren]

Hilary - I agree with you about Doyers. It's a good one, although I haven't had a full-fledged meal there yet. Went one night to meet some folks and just had tastes of their meals, because I had already eaten. I'll be sure to go back, though.

Hugh -- it is my purpose in life to make you homesick so you'll move back faster! And what's the name of that "teacher" soup place you told me about? Not quite Chinatown, but people should know about it regardless. It's still on my list (at least mentally).

[Lauren]

Hillary-
I don't think we have met....but I feel your pain. Every time I read the bloglet....I miss NY and of course Laren more (I am in Chicago for the time being)....and all of these lists discussing all of the amazing places in the big apple...just make it worse!!!!

[Hilary]

(Lauren, you may have me mistaken for Hugh, who has sadly forsaken NYC for the UK. I'm happily in Noho - from 9 to 5, anyway - and Sunnyside the rest of the time.)